Here at the William Richards House B&BOur goal is to make you feel at home.and in the morning enjoy our full breakfast buffet.

Chase S. Osborn

Our History

Chase Salmon Osborn Chase S. Osborn was born in a log cabin in Huntington County, Indiana, on January 22, 1860. He started his career as a newspaperman in Milwaukee. In 1887, when he purchased the Sault News , he moved to Sault Ste. Marie. Sault Ste. Marie was home to him as he continued to acquire financial interests in many other papers. Osborn was known as a hunter, woodsman, naturalist, mining prospector, scientist, world traveler, statesman, political, author, orator, and more. One of Osborn's passions, the study of iron ore, made him a wealthy man. For many years, he spent his summers tramping the north woods of Canada, searching for iron ore deposits. His winters were spent traveling with his wife, Lillian, exploring "all places in the world…where iron ore [was] produced in commercial quantities." In 1900, his explorations proved successful. He discovered what he named "Moose Mountain" in Canada. By 1902, iron ore was being extracted from this iron range. Osborn loved the outdoor life, the study of nature, and all areas of science. Over his lifetime, he became an amateur naturalist of some merit, making contributions to numerous fields within botany and zoology. In 1915, while summering at his cabin on Duck Island in the St. Mary's River, he discovered the source of the firefly's light. The full story of his chance finding was told in an article in the April 8,1916, edition of the Saturday Evening Post. Osborn published his first book, The Andean Land, in 1909. By then, he had already been contributing material to a number of publications in America and abroad as a foreign correspondent. In 1919, he published his autobiography, The Iron Hunter, and followed that, over the next thirty years, with eleven more books. Schoolcraft - Longfellow – Hiawatha , published in 1942, is considered to be his most outstanding work. Chase S. Osborn died at his winter cabin in Poulan, Georgia, on April 12, 1949. It has been said of him that "He was a friend of the great, highly placed, the powerful, the wealthy, whose company he kept and whom he counseled and advised,…"and" He could have lived] in a palace, but he preferred] the cabin." He had the traveled the world and "had boldly taken all knowledge for his province," but at the last, his life ended where it began, in a log cabin. His body was returned to Michigan, where services were held in Lansing and Sault Ste. Marie. His grave site is on Duck Island on the St. Mary's River.TWENTY-SEVENTH GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN AND MICHIGAN'S ONLY GOVERNOR FROM THE UPPER PENINSULA Chase S. Osborn was Governor of Michigan for one term, 1911-1912. Early in his first year in office, Governor Osborn announced that he would not run for a second term, and he kept that promise. He believed that a concern with reelection would necessarily influence these decisions, no matter how unconsciously, and he did not want to have to worry about easing factions or tempering his platform of reforms with a thought to reelection. Osborn was a part of the progressive Movement. He believed that government should clearly represent the will of the people. To that end, he promoted the initiative, referendum, and recall; all Progressive issues. He supported women's suffrage—seven years before Michigan voted for it—and pushed for a statewide vote on the issue, which, however, was defeated. Osborn had promised during the campaign to initiate many reforms, and he followed through on those promises. His greatest accomplishment in office was the passage of Michigan's first workmen's compensation law. He also succeeded in getting through a law to reorganize the Michigan National Guard and one providing for a bipartisan commission to study the entire taxation system of Michigan. The Sixteenth (income tax) Amendment to the Federal Constitution was ratified during Osborn's term of office. Other important legislation passed during his term included bills to regulate business "in the area of railroads, express companies, telephone companies, banks, insurance companies, and saloons." Two of these railroads and saloons, were especially important to Osborn. From his earlier employment as state railroad commissioner, he had come to believe that government should have ownership of the railroads, a view he held for the rest of his life and one that some feel irrevocably negated any chance he may have had at the Republican nomination for President. His position on saloons and" the liquor question" solidified over a period of years until eventually he came to feel that prohibition was necessary to solve the social problems he blamed on too-readily-available alcohol—a position he held for the remainder of his life. When Osborn took office in January 1911, Michigan faced a deficit "of nearly a million" dollars; by the end of his term in 1912, he had converted that "to a surplus of nearly a million dollars." His administration is recognized for its complete lack of scandal or corruption, its concentration on reform and Progressive issues, and a concern for "the little guy."

GOVERNOR OSBORN'S GIFTS TO THE SAULT STE. MARIE COMMUNITY Chase S. Osborn first came as a visitor to Sault Ste. Marie in 1887. He described his reaction upon seeing the area for the first time: "It was to me a passage into paradise. I had never breathed such air nor drunk such water….The Sault country fascinated me as it had many others…" He moved here later that year to make the Sault his home. Though he traveled extensively and traversed the globe, he remained a Sault Ste. Marie resident for the rest of his life. Osborn came to love this area above all others. He wrote in The Iron Hunter, his autobiography published in 1919, of his warm sentiments for the Sault: "My home town, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan,…has always shown me a sympathy and friendship and support that would be a sufficient reward for any man, no matter if his deserts were easily much greater than mine; and an inspiration as well. In return for its attitude I loved the town and all its people, and nurtured always in my heart a desire to do things for it….[to] do what lay within my power to show my appreciation." Osborn gave to the Sault Ste. Marie community many and varied gifts. Early gifts included items he brought back from his world travels for the Melville Museum located in the high school. In 1906, he gave a set of stone Ferradini lions from Bellagio Italy, to the Carnegie Library, which had opened in 1903. Also in 1906, he presented to St. James' Episcopal Church eleven iron bells. Two of Osborn's most impressive gifts to the Sault community are the Japanese torii, located in the government locks park, and the Capitoline Wolf on the grounds of the Chippewa County Courthouse. Osborn, on one of his trips, had the torii shipped back from Kobe, Japan, to be presented to the city of Sault Ste. Marie. For many years the torii was flanked by two Japanese Shinto lanterns, also gifts from Osborn. The bronze Capitoline Wolf, or "lupa di Roma," is an exact replica of the original one in Rome. It was made by Vincenzo Aurisicchio upon Osborn's request, and given to Sault Ste. Marie. Other notable gifts that Chase Osborn presented to the Sault community include 1,000 elms planted throughout the city (these trees, unfortunately, were victims of Dutch elm disease), the lighted cross on the top of the Central United Methodist Church, and several paintings by American artists that were placed in the high school in 1918, as well as substantial gifts of land and money.Brief History of the Mansion The William Richards Bed & Breakfast house was built in 1835 and was the home of the only Michigan Governor from the U.P., Governor Chase Osborn. He lived in the Grand Mansion for over twenty years. The three story, seven thousand square foot mansion has had only five owners including William Richards. The home has had a two year up-grade and has a state of the art kitchen, casual or formal dining, six fireplaces and four original claw foot bathtubs. The Mansion has fourteen chandeliers, seven ceiling fans, a gentlemen's room, formal grand room, Library and is considered to be one of the most beautiful and historical homes in Michigan's oldest city, Sault Ste. Marie.History of Sault Sainte MarieSault Ste. Marie is the oldest city in the state of Michigan. It is located at the eastern edge of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, on the Canadian border, separated from its twin city of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario - the oldest city in the Canadian province of Ontario - by the St. Mary's River.As of a 2005 U.S. Census estimate, the city's population was 14,318. It is the county seat of Chippewa County.The city is the site of the Soo Locks, which lets ships travel between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes. Although not as busy as in past years, a considerable amount of domestic and foreign commerce passes through the locks. People come from around the world to view close up the ships passing through the locks. The largest ships are 1,000 feet long by 105 feet wide. Those large ships are domestic carriers (called lakers) that are too large to transit the Welland Canal around Niagara Falls. Therefore, they are land-locked. Foreign ships (termed salties) are smaller.Sault Ste. Marie is home to Lake Superior State University, founded in 1946 as an extension campus of Michigan Mining and Technological College (now, Michigan Technological University).Tourism is a major industry in what is usually referred to as the Soo. The locks and nearby casinos are the major draws, as well as the forests, inland lakes and Lake Superior shoreline. It is also a gateway to Lake Superior's scenic north shore through its twin city Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The two cities are connected by the large Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge, a steel truss arch bridge with suspended deck passing over the St. Mary's River.Ojibwa (Chippewa) Native Americans had lived in the area, which they referred to as Baawitigong, for centuries, since it provided an excellent place to catch fish. In 1668, French missionaries Claude Dablon and Jacques Marquette founded a mission, making the Sault the third oldest city in the United States west of the Appalachian Mountains. The falls proved a choke point for shipping. Early Lake Superior ships were hauled around the rapids, much like moving a house, a process which could take weeks. Later cargoes were unloaded and hauled around the rapids and loaded onto other waiting boats. The first American locks were built in 1855. Meaning of the nameThe city name originates from "Saults de Sainte-Marie," Etymologically, the word "sault" comes from an archaic spelling of "saut", the French word for "leap" or "jump", although there are citations dating back to 1600 for the use of the "sault" spelling to mean a waterfall or rapids.In modern French, however, the words "chutes" or "rapides" are more usual, and "sault" survives almost exclusively in geographic names dating from the 17th century. (See also Long Sault, Ontario and Grand Falls/Grand-Sault, New Brunswick, two other place names where "sault" also carries this meaning.) TransportationThe city is the northern terminus of Interstate 75, which connects with the Mackinac Bridge at St. Ignace 52 miles to the south, and continues south to Miami, Florida. M-129 also has its northern terminus in the city. M-129 was at one time a part of the Dixie Highway system which was intended to connect the northern industrial states with the southern agricultural states. Until 1984 the city was the eastern terminus of the western segment of US 2. The city is served by the Chippewa County International Airport.Sault Ste. Marie is the namesake of the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railway, now the Soo Line Railroad, the U.S. arm of the Canadian Pacific Railway.Geography and climateThe city is located at Latitude: 46.49 N, Longitude: 84.35 W.According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.2 square miles (52.3 km²)—14.8 square miles (38.4 km²) of it is land and 5.4 square miles (13.9 km²) of it (26.63%) is water.Sault Ste. Marie is among the snowiest locations in Michigan receiving an average of 128 inches of snow a year with a record year where 209 inches fell. 62 inches of snow fell in one five-day snowstorm, including 28 inches in 24 hours, in December 1995. Sault Ste. Marie receives an average annual 34 inches of precipitation measured as equivalent rainfall.Temperatures in Sault Ste. Marie have varied between a record low of -36º F and a record high of 98º F. Monthly average high temperatures range from a low of 13º F in January to a high of 64º F in July.[1] In an average year, only one or two days reach 90º F while 180 days fall below 32º F.We appreciate the time you've spend with us here online..... In return, we will do our best to make your stay with us something to remember. We look forward to meeting you!!!

A few videos of thing to do and see in sault Ste. marie Michigan

Local AttractionsWe are in the middle of it all here in Sault Ste. Marie. There are a number of attractions in our city, and no matter what you like, you will be sure to find something here to enjoy. To make your trip easier, we have provided a list of attractions and contact information below. (add your link)Soo LocksThe Soo Locks is basically what our city was built around. Before the locks were built, this town was a settlement area where boaters would portage past the St. Mary's Rapids.Soo Locks Boat Tours

Take a ride through the locks, ride up close with the Great Lakes Freighters, and even dine on board on a dinner cruise. You will ride so close to some of the most important things in the Soo you'll be able to touch it; literally.

Great Lakes Shipwreck MuseumBuilt inside a light station, you will see up close real artifacts taken from the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. You will be located around twenty miles from the wreck, but you can get about twenty inches to some of the most historic artifacts ever to be recovered.

Point Iroquois LighthouseRelax on the beach next to an operable light house and even climb the tower to look out into only a small portion (which is bigger than what you may think) of Lake Superior

.Mahdezewin Native Art GalleryAuthentic Native Art and Native Crafts; a beautiful assortment of Beadwork, Original Paintings, Art Prints, and so much more available on Ashmun Street, just North of the the Power Canal, next to Burger King.

3 unique Walking tours, one having to do with Ghosts, and other with local history, and a third with the theme "Strong Women of the North". Tours conducted on weekend evenings.

S.S. Valley Camp Museum Ship This museum is located an actual freighter full of many maritime artifacts, some even from the Edmund Fitzgerald. River of History MuseumLocated in the Old Federal Building this museum covers local hiostory from prehistoric times to recent eras.

Water Street Historic Block The home of Father Baraga, the SnowShoe Priest; and Elmwood, the home Schoolcraft, among others.. dramatic presentations and music available.

Edison Sault Electric CompanyThe 1/4 Mile Long Sault Edison electric generating plant harnesses the power of Lake Superior dropping to the level of the Lower St. Mary's River by the diversion of water through the man-made canal that courses through the city.